Metal window structure



METAL WINDOW STRUCTURE George E. 'Stalle, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor of 33 /3 percent to Carl F. Spickelmier, 33% percent to Edith S. Greer, and 33 /3 percent to Betty S. Spicklemire, all of Indianapolis, Ind.

Application May 17, 1957, Serial No. 659,953

3 Claims. (Cl. 139-73) This invention relates to windows and more particularly to windows, such as double-hung windows, having sliding sash and metal frames. In many such windows the frames are fabricated from extruded aluminum shapes so flexible that they can be sprung inwardly to cause binding of the sash. Forces tending to spring side members of a window frame inwardlyare frequently applied during installation of the window or completion of the wall in which it is located; and to prevent sash-binding distortion, it has been customary to provide the window frame with one or more removable struts extending between the sides intermediate their length and acting to oppose distortion of such sides. Such struts are left in place until all danger of distortion has passed, whereupon they are removed and discarded.

In carrying out my invention, I employ one of the meeting rails of the slidable window sash as an effective strut in the window. For this purpose, I arrange for the incorporation in an assembled window of a pair of filler blocks which act between a sash-rail and the framesides to take up all lost motion between the sash and the sides, so that any inward effort applied to a side wall will be transmitted directly through the filler blocks to the sash rail. In the case of a double-hung window, the sash rail used as a strut is desirably the lower rail of the upper sash, and the filler blocks are removably secured to the side jambs below such rail. The railis conveniently notched for the reception of the upper ends free for movement.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one form of my invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the outside of a metal window;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a preferred form of filler block.

The window shown in the drawing includes a frame having a head 10, a sill 11, and side jambs 12. An upper sash 13 and a lower sash 14 are vertically slidable in the window frame. In the particular frame shown, the side rails of the sash have flanges 15 which are loosely received in vertically extending channels 16 in a guide member 17 secured, as by screws 18, on the inner face of each side jamb 12. Weatherstripping 19 is interposed between the flanges 15 and the walls of the guide channels 16; but in order to insure freedom of sliding movement of the sash in the frame each sash has a certain amount of lost motion in its own plane between the side jambs. The upper sash 13 includes a lower rail 21 having a flange 22 which projects horizontally toward the lower sash 14., As shown, the various sash rails atent of the ordinary sash rail.

and the elements of the window frame are formed of extruded aluminum shapes.

In incorporating my invention in a window, of the type described I provide a pair of filler blocks 25, formed in any convenient manner of any appropriate material, having end portions 26 receivable between the ends of the meeting rail 22 and the adjacent faces of the guide member 17. Ordinarily, the lost motion between the sash and the side jambs is so small that the end portions 26 of the filler blocks 25 would have to be objectionably thin to enter between the guide member 17 and the ends I therefore prefer to make the end portions .26 of adequate thickness and to notch the ends of the flange 22 for their reception. In any given window, the depth of the notches in the ends of the flange 22 is so coordinated with the thickness of the end portions 26 as to prevent the side jambs from being deflected inwardly sufliciently far to cause binding of the sash.

When in place on the window, each filler block 25 extends downwardly below the flange 22 and is secured to the side jamb. For that purpose, the lower end of the filler block is shown as provided with an opening 27 adapted to pass a screw extending into the guide member 17. Such screw may be one of the screws 18.

In employing the filler blocks 25, the window is completely assembled in usual fashion, the upper ends 26 of the filler blocks 25 are pushed upwardly into the notches in the ends of the sash-rail flange 22, and a screw 18 is then passed through each filler block into the side jamb to hold the filler block in place. Desirably, the filler blocks are so formed as to provide below each of the end portions 26 a shoulder 28 which seats against the bottom surface of the sash-rail flange 22 and prevents the upper sash from being moved downwardly in the frame. The notches in the ends of the flange 22 not only provide for filler-block end portions 26 of increased thickness but also prevent each filler block from swinging about the axis of the screw 18 which secures it to the side jamb.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a window structure, a metal frame having spaced side members, a pair of sash, said frame having means guiding said sash for sliding movement parallel to said side members, said means permitting limited play of each sash in its own plane and transverse to said side members, said sash having meeting rails the ends of which are spaced from said side members, and means including a removable filler block having a portion interposed between one end of one of said meeting rails and the adjacent side member to take up said play and substantially prevent movement of said side members toward each other, said filler block being attached to said side member and having a shoulder engaging said meeting rail to prevent opening movement of the sash of which said one meeting rail forms a part.

2. A window structure as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that the end of said one meeting rail adjacent said filler block is provided with a notch, said filler block extending along and being attached to the side member beyond the notched meeting rail and having an end portion received in said notch.

3. In a double-hung window structure, a metal frame having side members, upper and lower sash slidable in said frame and having limited play between said side members, said upper sash having a lower rail provided with notches at its ends, a pair of filler blocks having upper end portions received in said notches and substantially filling the spaces between the bases of the notches and the respectively adjacent side members, said filler blocks having body portions extending downwardly along References Cited in the file of this patent the side members, and releasable means cooperating with said body portions for securing the filler blocks to the UNITED STATES PATENTS side members, at least one of said filler blocks having a 2,111,224 Peremi et a1 Mar. 15, 1938 shoulder engageable with said lower sash rail to prevent 5 2,599,196 Peremi June 3, 1952 loweringnf the upper sash. 7 2,701,898 Watson Feb. 15, 1955 

